Reddish Vale - Cheshire - England

One of many decent members courses in a small area. Some interesting holes.

Reddish Vale is a really good golf course, with fine turf, good greens, some very challenging shots and a great variety of holes. Once you tee off you have no idea that you are so close to a major and expanding city. The first five holes play on the clubhouse level, including the very enjoyable first with a chasm to avoid, before a heroic tee shot on the downhill 6th followed by holes on the river level finishing with a strongly uphill approach to the 18th green. The river certainly was in play on some holes for our group this week ! One needs to be driving well to bring the par 5's into range which still have very challenging approach shots, and the par 3's require precision whilst still having gathering areas to aim at. Highly recommended, and a very friendly clubhouse with good food reflecting a quality, value place for a game of golf.

The golf course at Reddish Vale is one I would advise anybody to play. Not only is it one of the best value venues in the North West it is also one of the most interesting and entertaining.

Exciting terrain, great turf and some magnificent green locations place this course a clear level above most of its many neighbours in the Manchester suburbs and produces a round of golf that has several thrills and spills along the way.

The yardage is a modest 6,086 but the par of 69 has an SSS of 70 and with lots of natural hazards, including the River Tame, it is certainly no pushover. But a round here, on a course that lies third in seniority of all those built by the great Dr. Alister Mackenzie behind only Alwoodley and Moortown, is not so much about the score but the value of shots that must be played.

In particular the approaches into the greens are of a very high quality. All five of the short holes ask the golfer a different question. The second hole must be played over a ravine to a massive green whilst the penalty for missing the fourth to the left and the 12th to the right are severe. The 240-yard sixth is the longest of the quintet and drops 70-feet but the shortest, the fantastic 137-yard ninth, climbs to a green that feeds in from the right. As a collection they are nothing short of excellent.

Like many courses I see nowadays the amount of trees, overgrowth and vegetation at Reddish Vale kills a lot of the strategy and playability. The river that winds through the course is virtually hidden from sight and this takes away from much of the drama that could be had. Holes such as the sixth, seventh, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th are not nearly as intimidating, nor thought-provoking, as they could be, and probably were a century ago.

Ed is the founder of Golf Empire – click the link to read his full review.

I’ve played Reddish Vale a few times now and I share the opinion held by connoisseurs that it is the finest of the numerous courses located to the south of Manchester. Give it a try and see for yourself; do not be put off by the oft-heard complaint locally that it is ‘too tough’ or by the non-too salubrious approach to the club through a 1930’s council estate!The site occupied by Reddish Vale is a revelation when you consider that it lies within the M60 ring road and is less than a mile from Stockport town centre. The River Tame cuts a deep valley through wooded hills as it meanders towards its confluence with the Goyt to become the Mersey, leaving in its wake a fast-draining and undulating terrain; perfect for golf! 100 years ago the legendary Dr Alister MacKenzie (later of Augusta fame) took full advantage of this beautiful location and laid out a typically charming, deceptive, and challenging course.The first five holes occupy high ground above the valley and provide a tricky introduction to the round. Beware particularly the short 4th; a narrow green flanked by a bunkered hill on the right and out of bounds immediately to the left. With the wind in your face attacking the pin can easily result in a destroyed card even before the day has properly begun.At the 6th the routing plunges down into the Vale with an epic 240 yard drop shot to a well-bunkered green nestling by the river bank. By now you will be well and truly hooked on Reddish Vale!Over the river the course flows back and forth over undulating former meadowland surrounded by woods with the river a constant companion, giving the feeling that one is deep in rural Cheshire, rather than within an industrial conurbation. Only the odd apartment block peeking over the trees belies our true location. This really is an idyllic spot.The golf is superb, too. Typically cunning MacKenzie tee and green placements test the golfer to the limit without requiring prodigious distance off the tee. The long par four 13th is the toughest hole by far – indeed there are not many tougher golf holes anywhere! A decent drive is required if one is even going to have the option of reaching the tiny green with the second shot, hidden as it is behind a sloping ridge with all manner of hazards surrounding. Even laying up leaves an awkward pitch, and the devilish contours of the green mean that a five will be gratefully seized by virtually all.The home stretch from the 14th to the 17th provide some of the most delightful golf you will find in the north of England, and provided your drives don’t find the omnipresent river good scoring should be possible.Which brings us to the legendary 18th hole......if this came in the middle of the round it would attract the comment that it is ‘a bit of a climb’ and be passed over. Coming as it does at the culmination of a tough 3 or 4 hours it can be a real spirit-sapper! After a 200 yard drive over a flat fairway the ground rises precipitously to a green in its own little hanging valley only 150 yards distant but 150ft above one’s head. Club selection is the puzzler here; anything between an 8 iron and a 5 wood would be appropriate...All in all I can’t recommend Reddish Vale enough for those wanting challenging golf in idyllic surroundings. The condition of the course has always been excellent when I’ve played it with some of the best greens around.